Thinking about the book I just read, A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher, and its message about how the FMC shouldn’t have had to be the hero, she only became one because of the incompetence of those in power and the adults around her. In this book, William is presented as a modern-day hero, but he shouldn’t have had to be one either. Not in that way, not under those circumstances. All of it rooted in corruption, poor governance, and a deeply flawed system. But in the end, that is our reality. What remains is that William, through his curiosity and love for learning, managed to help his family and his community. And beyond that, he leaves inspiration, and hope, for younger generations to keep learning and pushing forward.